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Does equality reduce growth? Some empirical evidence

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  • Marta Bengoa
  • Blanca Sanchez-Robles

Abstract

This study intends to provide some empirical evidence on the connection between equality and growth. Accordingly, two different samples of countries have been explored over the last three decades using panel data. In the first subsample, encompassed by medium income nations, the relationship between equality (proxied by the Gini index) and growth seems to be hump shaped. In the second subsample, made up by high-income countries, the connection is unambiguously negative - more equality is detrimental for growth. These results suggest that the impact of equality on growth may be different at the various stages of development.

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  • Marta Bengoa & Blanca Sanchez-Robles, 2005. "Does equality reduce growth? Some empirical evidence," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(8), pages 479-483.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:apeclt:v:12:y:2005:i:8:p:479-483
    DOI: 10.1080/13504850500120177
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    3. Jakub Bartak & Łukasz Jabłoński, 2020. "Inequality and growth: What comes from the different inequality measures?," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 72(2), pages 185-212, April.
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    6. Jorge Alberto Charles Coll, 2014. "Inequality and growth in the context of the Mexican economy: Does inequality matter for growth?," Working Papers 331, ECINEQ, Society for the Study of Economic Inequality.
    7. Shafi, Maryam & Asghar, Zahid, 2015. "Tax Policy and Economic Growth: A Semi-Parametric Approach Using AMT," MPRA Paper 66662, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Charles-Coll, Jorge A., 2010. "The optimal rate of inequality: A framework for the relationship between income inequality and economic growth," MPRA Paper 28921, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Veronica Amarante, 2014. "Revisiting Inequality and Growth: Evidence for Developing Countries," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(4), pages 571-589, December.
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    11. T. Tavor & L. D. Gonen & M. Weber & U. Spiegel, 2018. "The Effects of Income Levels and Income Inequalities on Happiness," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(7), pages 2115-2137, October.
    12. Charles-Coll, Jorge & Mayer Granados, Elisabeth L., 2017. "How much Inequality is Harmful for Growth? The Growth Maximizing Rate of Inequality in the Context of the Mexican Economy," Economia Internazionale / International Economics, Camera di Commercio Industria Artigianato Agricoltura di Genova, vol. 70(3), pages 301-318.
    13. Skare, Marinko & Porada-Rochoń, Małgorzata, 2022. "Technology and social equality in the United States," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    14. Brida, Juan Gabriel & Carrera, Edgar J. Sanchez & Segarra, Verónica, 2020. "Clustering and regime dynamics for economic growth and income inequality," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 99-108.
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    19. Muhammad Shahbaz, 2010. "Income inequality‐economic growth and non‐linearity: a case of Pakistan," International Journal of Social Economics, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 37(8), pages 613-636, July.

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